Sudden back pain can, in rare cases, be a warning sign of serious underlying medical conditions, according to neurologist Evgeny Mosin in comments to the Doctor Peter medical portal.
The specialist noted that life-threatening causes of back pain are uncommon. However, persistent or severe pain in the back may sometimes be associated with oncological conditions, including cancers that can spread to the spine. These may involve malignancies originating in organs such as the thyroid gland, lungs, breast, prostate, uterus, or ovaries, which in advanced stages can lead to spinal involvement.
“One of the most intense types of back pain can occur in cases of cancer-related conditions, such as osteosarcoma affecting the vertebrae or metastatic lesions in the spinal region,” the specialist explained. Among the more common cancers associated with spinal metastases are breast cancer, prostate cancer, and certain gynecological tumors.
Back pain may also be linked to inflammatory conditions of the spinal cord, which represent a serious medical issue and can lead to severe complications if not treated in a timely manner.
In addition, girdle-like pain in the lower back may sometimes be associated with conditions of the pancreas or metabolic disorders such as diabetes, highlighting the importance of proper medical evaluation when pain is persistent, severe, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
Healthcare professionals emphasize that while most back pain cases are related to musculoskeletal issues, seeking medical advice is important if pain is severe, unexplained, progressive, or accompanied by neurological symptoms.
